Simmonds gives it everything in Richmond

Hayley Simmonds says she couldn't have given any more after she produced a strong performance to finish 26th in the elite women's time trial at the Road World Championships in Richmond, USA.

There were impressive rides for New Zealand's Linda Villumsen and America's Kristin Armstrong, the former taking the rainbow jersey.

Armstrong put down an early gauntlet for the rest of the field and was in pole position when Simmonds took to the course – the 27-year-old 29 seconds behind the American at the first check.

She eventually crossed in eighth place with a time of 43:24.28 but gradually slipped down the leaderboard.

"I would have liked to have done a bit better but I couldn't have got anything else out today and it was a massive learning experience for me coming here,” said Simmonds.

"It was really tough actually,” she continued. “The wind over the bridge was really hard coming back so it felt fast over the James (river) and then as soon as you came up the chicane and back onto the bridge it was brutal headwind so that was a really tough slog.”

Dowsett has sights set on Rio

Alex Dowsett admits that a medal is feasible at this year's Road World Championships but says the main aim in Richmond is to seal Rio qualification.

The British time trial champion is in Virginia with the British team and says that, along with teammate Steve Cummings, he will be doing everything to seal a top ten spot and book a ticket to Rio.

“Our main aim is to finish top ten to guarantee a place in the time trial in Rio next year and anything else will be a bonus – it's not an easy course.” he said.

“There is no real race and you are on the power all the time, it's going to be tough and pacing will be crucial all the way through.”

Tsaptsinos delighted to earn senior call up

Maria Tsaptsinos says she is ready to make the leap to senior level after earning an England call up for the European Championships.

The 18-year-old will head to Ekaterinburg, Russia, alongside Kelly Sibley, Karina le Fevre and Lois Peake with Greece, Belgium and Finland all lying in wait.

And the youngster says that she is relishing the opportunity – although she is still not sure exactly what the competition has in store.

"It's great to get my first senior call-up," she said. "It’s the Europeans and it's much bigger than what I've done before so I know I've got to get prepared for it.

"There's a lot more pressure now I'm moving up – I'm not a junior any more so I have to up my game and be prepared for what lies ahead.

"I don't really know the senior circuit so I'm not 100 per cent sure what we can achieve as a team – I've got to get my bearings a bit first.”